Post by: crowinghen on July 23, 2015, 09:16:48 AM
Anyway I have been archery hunting with Hubby for 4 years and have yet to get a deer. Between buck fever, bad timing, or whatever reason I haven't been able to get a deer yet :( but have had a lot of fun just being out there.
We usually hunt White River Hancock, but with recent changes we decided to get the Kapowsin permit this year. Now with the drought and woods being closed, I've been pretty depressed and
pessimistic about the upcoming season... but now this changes things a bit.
The season is from Sept 1 through Dec 31, any unit that has a Blacktail season would be open to me. I'm not sure if I could use my rifle or bow... but I do have a 243 as well as my bow. I will have to get that clarified.
I am asking for help ...
If you had that ticket where would YOU be on what date?
I really want to seal the deal this year-- a nice gnarly buck would be awesome, but that might be asking too much!
I am super super stoked!! beyond words
thank you in advance! Susie
Post by: headshot5 on July 23, 2015, 09:24:33 AM
Post by: bobcat on July 23, 2015, 09:31:47 AM
I guess since you have the Kapowsin access permit, you may as well hunt there. I'd concentrate on the first two weeks of November. The first week of September could be good as well.
I'll send you a PM with another option if you want to try a different area.
Post by: sirmissalot on July 23, 2015, 09:32:19 AM
Congrats on the tag. The last week of October/first week of November, anywhere in the woods where you find does, there will be bucks around. :tup:
Not bad advice at all here.
Where are you located Susie?
Post by: crowinghen on July 23, 2015, 09:34:08 AM
We live in Auburn and have a little vacation house in Allyn.
susie
Post by: crowinghen on July 23, 2015, 09:34:50 AM
I believe you can use a rifle during the entire time that your raffle tag is valid.
I guess since you have the Kapowsin access permit, you may as well hunt there. I'd concentrate on the first two weeks of November. The first week of September could be good as well.
I'll send you a PM with another option if you want to try a different area.
thanks!! looking forward to it!
Post by: grundy53 on July 23, 2015, 09:36:44 AM
I believe you can use a rifle during the entire time that your raffle tag is valid.The only problem with this is she won't be allowed in kapowsin during rifle elk season. The good news is that doesn't start until November 7th. I would definitely be in there the first week of November. There are some mashers in there. Congratulations!
I guess since you have the Kapowsin access permit, you may as well hunt there. I'd concentrate on the first two weeks of November. The first week of September could be good as well.
I'll send you a PM with another option if you want to try a different area.
Post by: grundy53 on July 23, 2015, 09:38:37 AM
Post by: trophyhunt on July 23, 2015, 09:41:30 AM
Post by: Hunter Dug on July 23, 2015, 09:54:11 AM
Post by: Jonathan_S on July 23, 2015, 09:56:22 AM
Post by: birddogdad on July 23, 2015, 10:00:07 AM
do some research.. depends on what you are after... there are a couple counties that keep coming up for blacktail ....
Post by: coachcw on July 23, 2015, 10:13:49 AM
Post by: birddogdad on July 23, 2015, 10:20:00 AM
you can use any weapon and hunt every day from Sept 1 through Dec 31 . you must wear hunter orange if you gun hunt or hunt any season that's open to guns . you can hunt during elk season . do it justice and hold out till the middle of December if need be. I'd go high in Sept above tree line if you can . if your in shape id start on the crest trail and look west !
with your quest, have alternatives for paper company land closures with the dry weather too...National forest/ DNR will remain available with rules and restrictions... also for me, later is better, catch the big boys in the rut when no one else is hunting! If you are after a monster, trail cams scouting and PATIENCE until you see that one deer.. don't just take a reasonable buck.. you have the whole fall to take.. make it count@!
Post by: Jonathan_S on July 23, 2015, 10:22:49 AM
I'd go high in Sept above tree line if you can . if your in shape id start on the crest trail and look west !
High hunt in September is a great way to be more selective which you'd better be with that tag :yike:
Post by: coachcw on July 23, 2015, 10:24:32 AM
Post by: crowinghen on July 23, 2015, 10:36:38 AM
Put in for some vacation time around the rut cannot wait-- Hubby is a great caller so many options I'm a little flabbergasted!
Keep it comin! thanks!
Post by: crowinghen on July 23, 2015, 10:40:07 AM
http://www.nwbiggame.com/top_10.cfm
do some research.. depends on what you are after... there are a couple counties that keep coming up for blacktail ....
I definitely see a trend here-- thank you for the link!
Post by: coachcw on July 23, 2015, 12:47:46 PM
Post by: birddogdad on July 23, 2015, 12:54:20 PM
578 :tup:
SHHHH ! there are no deer there....
Post by: rtspring on July 23, 2015, 12:59:19 PM
Post by: Firedogg on July 23, 2015, 03:07:03 PM
Post by: Ridgerunner on July 23, 2015, 03:22:24 PM
Post by: jackelope on July 23, 2015, 05:16:38 PM
My three options would be go high early in September, find something west of the crest, heck you might even catch a big mule deer west of the boundary this time of year. That early November period in the heart of blacktail country, or late in the Klickitat area. What a great problem to have. Congrats on the draw.
:iamwithstupid:
Post by: X-Force on July 23, 2015, 05:58:53 PM
Good luck!
Post by: crowinghen on July 23, 2015, 09:14:09 PM
Road hunt I-5I was thinking the main drag of Ocean shores...
Post by: elk247 on July 23, 2015, 09:31:44 PM
Post by: grundy53 on July 23, 2015, 09:35:44 PM
Post by: grundy53 on July 23, 2015, 09:37:51 PM
Post by: kodiak 907 on July 23, 2015, 09:46:25 PM
Post by: crowinghen on July 23, 2015, 09:53:28 PM
tough tough call here-- so much fun!
we were seriously discussing West Klickitat and now you've gone and posted those pics!
Post by: huntnphool on July 23, 2015, 10:07:25 PM
Nice pics Grundy, great buck.
Post by: AKBowman on July 24, 2015, 08:24:46 PM
I would also hunt somewhere where you can shoot a true Blacktail. West Klick bucks have a lot of Muley in them and it's VERY difficult to kill a mature true Blacktail buck.
Best of luck you better keep this post updated!!!
Post by: deerhunter_98520 on July 24, 2015, 08:45:00 PM
Post by: coachcw on July 24, 2015, 08:50:06 PM
Post by: crowinghen on July 25, 2015, 01:40:06 AM
Thanks!
Post by: crowinghen on July 25, 2015, 01:47:56 AM
Guess I would make up my mind on a mountian, valley or coastal blacktail. Next I would scout with trail cameras hard and hunt Oct. 28-Nov. 20 everyday. Personally i would hunt west of the puget sound from those dates and hold for 150" and drop to 125" after the 15th of November.Sundance I tried to Pm you but your inbox is full
Post by: Firedogg on July 25, 2015, 10:41:58 AM
Post by: BUTTER on July 25, 2015, 12:25:29 PM
Post by: crowinghen on July 25, 2015, 04:56:12 PM
susie
Post by: Mossyoak on July 26, 2015, 01:09:57 PM
Post by: RuttinWapati on July 26, 2015, 06:10:35 PM
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: justyhntr on July 27, 2015, 04:38:24 PM
Thanks , Dave
Post by: crowinghen on July 27, 2015, 11:18:42 PM
I'm going to jack my wife's thread . We have it down to 3 areas that we are going to focus on and she has decided to hunt for true Blacktail .We are taking the first 2 weeks of Nov. We know were there are couple older big bucks in the White River , ones regressing , he was a massive 2x3 with eye guards last year and a good 5x5 that was bedded in front of my wife at 50 yards last year but she was unable to get a shot . This is not our first chose because I don't know if they made it through the tribal season . We have found some outstanding rubs from last year in Kapowsin , 8-10in. trees all tore up . Earlier this year on one of our trail cams we had 7 different bucks on one camera in a 2 week soak . None would be shooters for this tag but there are lots of does and the area looks promising plus we have cameras up there that we can't get to until they open the woods so they are in for a good long soak . Should be interesting , we'll wait and see . We are also looking to hunt areas around Kitsap . I had an archery quality tag in there a couple years ago and found some areas that look promising . I think this week end we are going to head up that way and do a bit of scouting . Here's my dilemma , I've seen big bucks but have never been a trophy hunter so I have no idea how to judge a shooter , beings I'm the spotter can you give me an idea how to field judge a true trophy worthy of this tag ? How far above the ears and how far out from the head ? I've started to study images on Google but any help will be appreciated.
Thanks , Dave
Threadkill strikes again! maybe start your own thread Dave? Might get more responses :)
Post by: ELKBURGER on July 28, 2015, 08:10:32 AM
What makes a trophy can only be defined by the individual hunter, not inches.
Like others have said, hunt the rut time away from the general seasons, with a rifle, into late Nov and you guys should see what Big Blackies look like.
HAVE FUN with this tag!
Post by: birddogdad on July 28, 2015, 08:34:14 AM
Post by: kodiak 907 on July 28, 2015, 09:21:10 AM
Post by: crowinghen on July 28, 2015, 09:23:55 AM
seen yesterday morning in Kitsap...
yep! That's what I'm talking about!!
nice buck!
Post by: Curly on July 28, 2015, 09:26:39 AM
seen yesterday morning in Kitsap...
:yike:
:o
That is a fatty! :tup:
Post by: birddogdad on July 28, 2015, 09:41:36 AM
:yeah: Buck would make the book. Imo. Looks pretty heavy too. :drool:
im certain it would book, thick beams, symmetrical 4x4, probably high 130's maybe 140....
Post by: bobcat on July 29, 2015, 10:09:41 PM
Post by: crowinghen on August 01, 2015, 07:40:03 AM
and so it begins!
Post by: muzbuster on August 01, 2015, 07:55:41 AM
Post by: trophyhunt on August 01, 2015, 08:03:58 AM
I would say go to Kapowsin but the best time IMO is during the quality deer hunt time for the Mashel unit but you would miss the first part of that hunt because it is closed for the elk season, if you hit it right after the elk season ends it is still pretty good.they could hunt up until the day of the 6th, they will close it on the 6th is what I'm trying to say. I would hit it for sure till then.
Post by: BUTTER on August 01, 2015, 08:54:38 AM
Post by: crowinghen on August 02, 2015, 09:48:10 PM
too hot though... :(
Post by: crowinghen on August 02, 2015, 09:51:54 PM
Post by: ELKBURGER on August 03, 2015, 06:26:55 AM
Post by: justyhntr on October 29, 2015, 08:06:17 PM
Post by: grundy53 on October 29, 2015, 08:19:04 PM
Post by: ridgefire on October 29, 2015, 08:32:28 PM
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on October 29, 2015, 08:52:27 PM
Post by: Whitpirate on October 30, 2015, 12:19:00 AM
Post by: RadSav on October 30, 2015, 12:29:34 AM
Post by: coachcw on October 30, 2015, 06:34:32 AM
Post by: DIYARCHERYJUNKIE on October 30, 2015, 07:21:08 AM
Post by: lokidog on October 30, 2015, 09:03:36 AM
Post by: Alchase on October 30, 2015, 10:32:31 AM
My three options would be go high early in September, find something west of the crest, heck you might even catch a big mule deer west of the boundary this time of year. That early November period in the heart of blacktail country, or late in the Klickitat area. What a great problem to have. Congrats on the draw.
:iamwithstupid:
I would alternate that with up in the Goat Rocks.
Post by: RadSav on October 30, 2015, 05:40:08 PM
Post by: hillbillyhunting on October 30, 2015, 08:17:16 PM
Post by: Turner89 on October 30, 2015, 11:28:52 PM
Post by: Buzz2401 on October 31, 2015, 08:37:11 AM
Post by: crowinghen on October 31, 2015, 05:33:14 PM
Hope to get my first deer!
will keep ya all posted- thanks for the good thoughts!
susie
Post by: jackmaster on October 31, 2015, 06:00:53 PM
Post by: The Weazle on October 31, 2015, 06:05:35 PM
Post by: crowinghen on October 31, 2015, 09:27:22 PM
Post by: Crunchy on October 31, 2015, 09:30:07 PM
Post by: crowinghen on October 31, 2015, 09:33:00 PM
Post by: lokidog on October 31, 2015, 11:14:14 PM
Post by: Crunchy on October 31, 2015, 11:28:36 PM
Post by: Sitka_Blacktail on October 31, 2015, 11:36:42 PM
Post by: DIYARCHERYJUNKIE on November 01, 2015, 05:09:35 AM
I'd go to klickitat anyways. Hancock isn't very hepful.
Post by: pope on November 01, 2015, 06:21:24 AM
Post by: kodiak 907 on November 01, 2015, 09:41:42 AM
Post by: Sitka_Blacktail on November 01, 2015, 11:35:05 AM
The deer numbers are way low in all the those areas above. Just trolling? Goose chase? She has the raffle tag why jab her Sitka?
I'd go to klickitat anyways. Hancock isn't very hepful.
As Tom Petty sang....... "You believe what you want to believe."
The Willapa Hills are home to some very nice bucks. Still.
Now, you want to do some comparisons?
Using the Washington game department 2014 harvest reports, I'm going to figure the success rate for 4 and 5 point bucks per hunter in the modern firearm season, since she is after a trophy.
The Kapowsin Tree Farm is in the Mashel Unit (654) and seems to get a lot of votes for a big buck hunt. So we'll use that for the control hunt.
Unit name and number ----- 4 pt bucks ----- 5 pt+ bucks ----- Hunters ----- Hunter success rate on 4 and 5+ pt bucks
Mashel 654 ------------------- 26 ------------------ 4 ------------- 1,181 -------------------- 2.5%
Willapa Hills 506 ------------- 15 ------------------ 6 ------------- 940 --------------------- 2.2%
Bear River 681 --------------- 7 ------------------ 6 ------------- 182 --------------------- 7.1%
Williams Cr. 673 ------------- 7 ------------------ 1 ------------- 555 --------------------- 1.4%
North River 658 ------------- 10 ------------------ 4 ------------- 425 --------------------- 3.3%
W Klickitat 578 ------------- 71 ----------------- 26 ------------ 1,524 --------------------- 6.4%
Lincoln 501 ------------------ 18 ------------------ 10 ------------ 999 --------------------- 2.8%
Skookumchuck 667 -------- 24 ------------------ 11 ------------ 1,543 -------------------- 2.2%
Deschutes 666 -------------- 11 ------------------ 10 ------------ 589 --------------------- 3.6%
Copalis 642 ------------------ 7 ------------------ 3 ------------ 248 ---------------------- 4.0%
Now as far as sheer deer numbers go W Klickitat is king and Mashel and Skookumchuck look pretty good. But when you get down to hunter success rate on big bucks, Only W Klickitat stands out. And that is a 3 pt or better unit with a few benchlegs I'd guess. The king of hunter success on big bucks is little old Bear River at almost 3 times the success rate as Mashel. And as for Williams creek, it is showing the lowest success rate on big old bucks, but the overall success rate is 26.7% with a lot of young bucks as it has been heavily logged the last few years. As those young bucks get older, some brutes will be coming out of there, I have no doubt. For comparison, the overall success rate in Mashel is 14% and W Klickitat is 13.7% And Willapa Hills over all success rate is 24.5%. Willapa Hills and Williams Creek should be getting better as the new logging improves habitat.
Bear River besides being the best % chance for a trophy buck also sports a pretty good 22.5% overall success rate.
As for Copalis, I'm gonna guess some of those big ol' Ocean Shores bucks helps the big buck rate there. :rolleyes:
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on November 01, 2015, 08:45:35 PM
Post by: Sitka_Blacktail on November 01, 2015, 10:07:36 PM
Second most large bucks I've seen is in Willapa Hills. I blew a chance at a beautiful wide heavy racked 3x3 with eye guards, and the rest were in elk season. Same with Quinault Ridge. Most would never hunt deer there by choice except a few locals because there aren't a lot of deer there, but if you see a buck, chances are he's massive. We used to see mashers every year when we were elk hunting.
Post by: Turner89 on November 03, 2015, 08:56:39 PM
Post by: JBar on November 04, 2015, 09:03:28 AM
Well , after spending every spare moment we had in Kapowsin scouting for the last few months Hancock has just closed their lands . Disappointing to say the least .
It's back open, get out there and tag a big one!
Post by: bobcat on November 04, 2015, 09:08:18 AM
Well , after spending every spare moment we had in Kapowsin scouting for the last few months Hancock has just closed their lands . Disappointing to say the least .
It's back open, get out there and tag a big one!
She posted in another thread yesterday that they did hunt there and saw 24 does and zero bucks.
Post by: lewy on November 04, 2015, 03:56:22 PM
Post by: DIYARCHERYJUNKIE on November 04, 2015, 07:36:13 PM
Post by: crowinghen on November 04, 2015, 08:06:31 PM
Post by: pope on November 04, 2015, 09:56:22 PM
Post by: crowinghen on November 05, 2015, 07:30:25 AM
Still a little surprised at how few bucks we've been on-- but it's still been fun so far!
We have next week off too so I'm sure the rut will happen!
Post by: Chesapeake on November 05, 2015, 10:32:44 AM
By my gauge its started. :)
By late buck he will have disappeared, not to be seen till next November.
Post by: Quackin_Archer on November 05, 2015, 04:52:34 PM
Post by: BA Mongor on November 05, 2015, 05:36:41 PM
And besides, she has a blacktail tag and every one knows that:
There Are No Oaks In Blacktail Country !!!!
Post by: Chesapeake on November 06, 2015, 09:08:32 AM
But yeah, if you want a coastal buck, I'd hunt from the Grays river west in the lowlands.
Post by: Sitka_Blacktail on November 06, 2015, 09:39:52 AM
Post by: crowinghen on November 07, 2015, 06:48:14 AM
Hoping to see some real rutting going on- have seen so many does and elk it's just stupid. Just the 2 point and a couple of spikes-
kind of amazed that there just aren't any bucks to be seen, But what the heck, we have been hunting hard and will keep at it-- hoping to see a bruiser this week-
but I have until Dec 31 ...
won't have internet for the next few days so will post when I can.
Post by: Utah on November 07, 2015, 07:00:10 AM
Post by: crowinghen on November 07, 2015, 04:47:37 PM
all you peeps relling us to go there. I would really appreciate any info you could share with me.-- we have till sunday then back to work.
Looking for places to stay also-
thanks so much!
Post by: The scout on November 07, 2015, 05:07:07 PM
Post by: .257mag on November 07, 2015, 05:09:22 PM
Post by: kodiak 907 on November 07, 2015, 06:44:47 PM
Good luck. Hoping to see some pics of a bruiser :tup:
Post by: crowinghen on November 08, 2015, 10:27:56 PM
Post by: hillbillyhunting on November 09, 2015, 10:50:24 AM
Post by: Sitka_Blacktail on November 09, 2015, 07:34:05 PM
Post by: crowinghen on November 10, 2015, 06:01:12 AM
Were you hunting in mason this morning?
[/quote
No we headed over to the west klickitat going out in a minute. It's beautiful country here ! Thought we have the time we should do something a little different this week.
Wish us luck!]
Post by: ELKBURGER on November 10, 2015, 06:13:46 AM
Post by: DIYARCHERYJUNKIE on November 10, 2015, 07:26:42 AM
Post by: G.R.K on November 18, 2015, 08:20:48 PM
Post by: justyhntr on November 18, 2015, 09:22:01 PM
update:
Well we had to go back to work this week- I work 12 hour shifts so we won't be able to go out until friday morning. Hubby is gonna grab the cards out of a couple trail cameras tomorrow, so hopefully there will be something good there.
Thinking about heading back to West Klickitat to give it another go over Thanksgiving- we are doing our holiday meal this weekend so will have a few days off next week again.
Still thinking about how to get one!
thanks for the interest!
Post by: ELKBURGER on November 19, 2015, 05:34:04 AM
Post by: scree on December 21, 2015, 10:03:24 AM
Post by: justyhntr on December 21, 2015, 04:58:26 PM
We really are ready to move on . Almost every time we've gone into the woods we have seen predators and every time we've heard coyotes . It's time to do some predator management .
Post by: scree on December 21, 2015, 06:24:41 PM
Post by: lokidog on December 21, 2015, 08:00:32 PM
Post by: justyhntr on December 21, 2015, 11:27:27 PM
Good luck, hopefully there will be a good Christmas present or pre New Year's gift waiting in the woods. Bummer about missing the cougar. I'd give up any of the deer I've shot in the last ten years for a shot at a cougar.
Susie posting here under Justyhntr's log in :)
That day that the cougar came in the tripod attachment on my rifle had broken off, so I was quite a bit more unstable than when the tripod was attached to my gun-- difficult to shoot to say the least with that kind of excitement esp with broken equipment. But it was an awesome sight.
All excited to go out this past Saturday and hmmm got the stomach bug on Thursday , still too weak to go out Saturday morning. okay then , excited to go out Sunday, Hubby gets the bug. puking his guts out. that is kind of how the season has been.WTH :( but we probably wouldn't have been out in the woods to see all those does, the cougar, probably 4 bobcat, and everything else we've seen this year, if I didn't have that tag.
I hope we can get a few more hours in the woods before the year's over, crossing my fingers. hopefully with decent hunting weather too.
Susie
Post by: justyhntr on December 31, 2015, 06:48:56 PM
Post by: Bigshooter on December 31, 2015, 07:44:48 PM
Ate it .
Nothing wrong with that.
Post by: kodiak 907 on December 31, 2015, 10:47:24 PM
Post by: RadSav on December 31, 2015, 11:13:17 PM
Ate it .
But did you have fun? Definitely sounds like you got to see a lot of different country!
Post by: justyhntr on January 01, 2016, 09:43:05 AM
Post by: scree on January 01, 2016, 08:31:06 PM
Post by: lokidog on January 02, 2016, 08:23:23 PM
We had a great time , frustrating at times but fun . Learned a lot that will help in the late archery seasons in the future . We also learned there are a ton of predators , deer season may be over but hunting season is far from over .
:tup: :tup:
Post by: Falcon on January 04, 2016, 01:14:39 PM
Ate it .
Nice job on giving it your all and then some. You didn't settle for a forked horn and you have my respect for that. You can always look back and say you you set some high goals and hunted hard to make it happen!
Post by: Jonathan_S on January 05, 2016, 07:17:55 AM